LOCK HAVEN — An attempt by the Clinton County Housing Coalition to shift a decision made by the city’s zoning board was struck down by Lock Haven City Council.

The coalition, which wants to utilize the former Dickey Elementary School for affordable housing, was previously told it couldn’t develop the property into housing units by the zoning board. At the time the, the coalition was proposing 19 units be put into the complex along with other amenities such as a laundry room and business office.

On Monday night, Jeff Rich, vice-chair of the coalition, presented council with a revised plan. This one would see only 11 units in the building with the request that the required number of parking spaces — per the city’s code — be reduced from 3 to 2.

“Which we feel is pretty agreeable. The folks renting those units aren’t typically two-car households,” Rich said.

Rich noted a dire need for affordable housing in the community, saying he has a waiting list of about 240 individuals.

“There’s a desperate need,” he said. “These folks can’t afford the rent being asked.”

Rich said he hoped council would make a request to the zoning hearing board to reconsider the parking space ordinance in particular, so this project could move forward. The property, owned by Dickey Realty, LLC, planned to donate the property to the coalition.

Issues regarding parking and a lack of it in that area of the hill section received the most push back during the zoning hearing board’s meeting in September. Over a dozen residents near the former elementary school turned out for that hearing.

And roughly a dozen turned out again on Monday night to push back against the coalition’s request — many citing parking as the biggest drawback to a multi-unit property. Some also noted that a complex of that size would violate the low density residential zone that makes up the hill section.

Many residents noted that, even with a reduction in the number of parking spaces, the issue wouldn’t go away.

“This is just the first attempt. Eleven or 19 units, it doesn’t matter because there isn’t enough to begin with,” William Spedding, a resident of South Fairview Street, said. “There’s a lot of people here and they’re against it. The zoning hearing board voted against it. The neighborhood has voted against it. We’re opposed because it’ll impact the neighborhood.”

Multiple other members of the public spoke in line with Spedding’s statement. Many citing the city’s own zoning laws and others noting there are other options for developing affordable house in the city — including the former Town Tavern and Wolf’s Furniture Store properties along Bellefonte Avenue.

After nearly an hour of discussion, mostly from the public, Rich offered further comment.

“We really, really went back to the drawing board” after the zoning hearing board meeting, he said. “I’m never going to deny we need to develop more affordable housing.”

However, Rich acknowledged the public’s pushback.

“They just do not want the development. Whether we do four parking spaces, or three or two per unit. There is going to be huge pushback,” he said.

Following public comment, a motion was made by Councilman Rick Conklin to send a request to the zoning hearing board.

However, it was voted down 3-4 with Mayor Joel Long breaking a tie. Voting no were councilmembers Barb Masorti, Steve Stevenson and Jeff Brinker. Voting yes were councilmembers Conklin, Doug Byerly and Richard Morris.